FlightLine: The Army Pilots of Vietnam

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  • Опубліковано 13 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 126

  • @whit101
    @whit101 7 років тому +40

    Thanks for telling our story. I graduated Class 67-1. I was 19. Served 2 tours in Vietnam, a place of beauty and sorrow.

    • @joegamble328
      @joegamble328 6 років тому +4

      Robert Whitfield respect sir

    • @Tucsonglass
      @Tucsonglass 6 років тому +3

      Just came across this and also appreciated the telling of "our story". Paul Hart, 66-23/67-1, C/1/9, 1st Cav. 67/68

    • @marquissongs7101
      @marquissongs7101 5 років тому

      WELCOME TO AMERICA AGAIN (Snapshots of Vietnam) ua-cam.com/video/-HpTmH-nkhY/v-deo.html

    • @bunnykiller65
      @bunnykiller65 2 роки тому

      Here's a co-inky-dink for ya'. My name is also Robert Whitfield and I was in class 89-1. I flew Hueys, Cobras, Apaches, and Longbows. Served 3 tours in Iraq. How's it going, Bob?

  • @mohawkdriver2504
    @mohawkdriver2504 Рік тому +4

    I am a former army fixed wing aviator who flew RU21s and OV1s during thirty months in country, mostly monitoring traffic on the trail. Had many close calls related to ground fire, anti aircraft fire, SA2 and SA7 missiles but scraped by unscathed.

  • @brandond5209
    @brandond5209 6 років тому +11

    My Dad was in the 114th Army Aviation Company in Vinh Long 68-69. He told me some amazing stories. I have so much respect and admiration for these brave men.My father passed last Feb and I miss him and his stories very much. I wish I had come across this video before he passed as he would have loved to see it. God Bless.

    • @peterbilt37042
      @peterbilt37042 5 років тому +2

      My dad went to Vietnam the first time around Dec 68. He was in the 1st Cav. He passed away in 2017. The war never left him.

    • @rdwelch2
      @rdwelch2 3 роки тому +2

      I was assigned to D Company, 46th Engr BN in 70-71. Was in Phu Loi the last half of the tour. Phu Loi is just a skip, hop, and jump to Vinh Long. I patched road from Phu Loi to Vinh Long. Plus, was working in Lai Khe (Northwest of Phu Loi) and got my 1st ride on a Helicopter on a flight Lai Khe to Phu Loi with and a Huey from the 118th. Small world!

    • @ANZACS100
      @ANZACS100 3 роки тому

      FUCK AMERICA , FUCK NATO !

  • @sutannguyen8599
    @sutannguyen8599 Рік тому +3

    Thanks for Helicopters Pilot 🚁 toke me from Tam Ky to Bệnh Viện Duy Tân Đà Nẵng
    When i got Wounded on April 1971..

  • @dalehardisty216
    @dalehardisty216 Рік тому +2

    I am honored to say that I flew with Douglas Womack years after Vietnam was over. One of the best pilots I ever flew with I was a crew chief,flew and served with many Vietnam Veterans . I learned so very much from all of this brave men I had the Honor to serve with.

  • @Delatta1961
    @Delatta1961 Рік тому +1

    I was 19 in IERW, class 81-45 Royal Blue Flight, and all our TAC Officers were Vietnam Veterans. I didn’t realize what they went through until much later in my 21 year career. Students didn’t really make small talk with them but I do remember the TACs mention Lam Son 719, and the losses they experienced. I wish I could go back and and just listen closer. I’m grateful for them all

  • @burtthebeast4239
    @burtthebeast4239 3 роки тому +5

    I just can't get enough of these stories.. The BRAVERY of these men,,,,,, chokes me up. Welcome Home God bless you ALL.......

  • @livingthedream0527
    @livingthedream0527 7 років тому +3

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR UPLOADING BEEN TRYING TO FIND THIS FOR AGES. Without looking like a 110% nutcase. Thank you.

  • @thelandofmisteroz
    @thelandofmisteroz Рік тому

    Dad flew the Loach with 53th Field Artillery Aviation Group. No cobras or AC guns. Just a radio. Man. Thank you guys for everything!

  • @mhknapp1
    @mhknapp1 7 років тому +5

    Thanks fir the video - brings back many memories. Mike (161st Pelicans/Scorpions) 243rd (Freight Trains)

  • @TootUncommon
    @TootUncommon 6 років тому +1

    Thank you. This is the most accurate story of us (Cobra and Slick 1971) I have ever seen. This is what I wish I could tell people about but you told them. Thanks.

  • @user-qy9tf2im7f
    @user-qy9tf2im7f 2 роки тому

    The amazing thing was the amount of Flights & Sorties Vietnam Era Pilots flew is mindboggling! My hat is off to all of them. I Thank Them for Their Service, Sacrifice & Bravery!

  • @waynegallant4806
    @waynegallant4806 Рік тому +1

    I flew 13 months in Vietnam as a Door Gunner, Crew Chief, and Flight Engineer on CH-47A's 1967-68. Forced down on 23 Oct 1967 rescued by A Troop !/9 Cav before we were policed up by the NVA. Another close call in the Battle of Dak To. I look back and realize how fortunate we were. The real heroes were the LOH OH-6 pilots and Crew Chiefs. They had real balls low level drawing fire for gunships waiting above.

  • @bazzinbulgaria4826
    @bazzinbulgaria4826 7 років тому +15

    Is the Exec Producer, Robert Mason, the person I think it is? I am a Vietnam Vet and have nothing but admiration for these men.
    I thank them all for their service.

  • @Sturminfantrist
    @Sturminfantrist 6 років тому +3

    Dont forget that the Army had Planes during the Vietnam war , JOV-1/ OV-1 Mohawk and CV-2 Caribou`s, the Mohawks played a important role in the first time of the Airmobile Concept/Div. in Vietnam

    • @BobJones-dq9mx
      @BobJones-dq9mx 2 роки тому +1

      I flew the Army Bird-dog 300 hours over Laos(1970) and on my second tour the YO-3 (400 hours) over North Vietnam,

  • @USGolfChamp
    @USGolfChamp 3 місяці тому

    Harris Howard taught me how to fly in a TH-55. He finally asked me if I was ready to solo… I told him heck yeah… get out. Then I did three traffic patterns… takeoffs and landings at a little stage field. That was the most fun I had with my pants on.

  • @edwardchristian7120
    @edwardchristian7120 7 років тому +4

    I had the joy and honor to work with Mr. Jon Beckenhauer off and on over a 15 year period. Our veterans are amongst the best and most honorable men I have ever had the pleasure to know.

    • @ANZACS100
      @ANZACS100 3 роки тому

      FUCK AMERICA , FUCK NATO !

  • @gulayguthre9939
    @gulayguthre9939 2 роки тому +1

    Outstanding those guys are my heroes forever

  • @waynewood1991
    @waynewood1991 2 роки тому

    Thank you I graduated 67-25. 68-3 flew with the. 11th Cav 68-69 I too was 19

  • @peterbilt37042
    @peterbilt37042 5 років тому +2

    My dad, CW2 Ronald Halfhill graduated Primary at Ft Wolters class 68-25 1968.

    • @peterbilt37042
      @peterbilt37042 4 роки тому

      @@johngraysneck9613 Thank you. Dad passed away Jan 17th 2017. I always felt a part of him never left Vietnam. He was my hero.

    • @peterbilt37042
      @peterbilt37042 4 роки тому

      @@johngraysneck9613 I just pulled out your class photo. There you are on the second row.

  • @joegamble328
    @joegamble328 6 років тому +5

    Respect gentlemen. True warriors!

    • @ANZACS100
      @ANZACS100 3 роки тому

      FUCK AMERICA , FUCK NATO !

  • @isukaman4092
    @isukaman4092 7 років тому +8

    Great men.

  • @subcreecha
    @subcreecha 6 років тому +1

    I worked with a guy name Bernie that’s was a crew chief dust off out of chu li dude was shot 3 times and saved a bunch of marines straight up super hero you can’t say enough about these men and women ! Thank you 🙏 so so much! Bernie you guys came back too a bunch of crap in the states you did not deserve or any of the troops you’re never forgotten and always loved !!!

  • @joet1109
    @joet1109 7 років тому +1

    Great job! Great video thanks!

  • @davidmurphy8364
    @davidmurphy8364 6 років тому +7

    Really would have loved to here from the man himself Bob Mason.

  • @dukecraig2402
    @dukecraig2402 6 років тому +6

    The United States Army produces the finest rotary wing aircraft pilots in the world, in Vietnam they wrote the book on helicopter warfare just like the Germans had writtten the book on mobile mechanized warfare 25 years before, I read the book Chickenhawk in 1984 when I was in the Army and always knew afterwards that if I ever had to rely on an Army helicopter I wouldn't be let down, hats off to Robert Mason and all those who have flown after him.

  • @4Him4u2
    @4Him4u2 6 років тому +1

    What a great project! All honor and gratitude to these men! Thank you for your service to our country and the people of South East Asia. Welcome home!!!

    • @ANZACS100
      @ANZACS100 3 роки тому

      FUCK AMERICA , FUCK NATO !

    • @ANZACS100
      @ANZACS100 3 роки тому

      the people of South East Asia HATE YOU !

  • @mickdel
    @mickdel 5 років тому

    excellent. thanks for uploading!

  • @jimcaufman2328
    @jimcaufman2328 Рік тому +1

    One day while in Vietnam I heard the Commanding General of the 1st Cav tell a congressman that uncommon valor was a daily trait of every helicopter pilot in his division. "I would need at least a thousand clerk typist to process valor awards just for my pilots"

  • @gerardguitarist
    @gerardguitarist 6 років тому +16

    What those guys had to go through dealing with the anticipation of flying into a hot LZ is mind numbing. The anxiety and fear mixed with the overwhelming desire to get there to assist the infantry boys was the worst part of it all I gather. They all went to hell so my generation didn't have to. I have the highest respect and gratitude to each and every one of them who sacrificed so much in the Wars of this world.

  • @gman2013
    @gman2013 6 років тому +1

    Excellent video! Thank you veterans!

  • @jeffkerr4249
    @jeffkerr4249 6 років тому +1

    THANK YOU !

  • @snowman374th
    @snowman374th 6 років тому +5

    They never really made a good Movie about The Pilots of Vietnam's AirCav. They have featured many Huey's in movies but nothing to express what these pilots went through. Huey's will never be forgotten. ~S~ Salute to all of these brave men.

    • @adznz11
      @adznz11 5 років тому +1

      That's right. Id love to see a movie from the perspective of the army aviators but for people without a passion for aviation it may be boring. I think it would be a total winner.

    • @snowman374th
      @snowman374th 2 роки тому

      @@adznz11
      Dang, I never got this notification. UA-cam sure become a sht hole. If they don't like you, they trash your channel. I just happened to click around and watched again. I sure agree with you totally. It would be fascinating to watch. We just need the right people to get involved.
      Hope you're doing well. Rough time we're in. Joe the YOYO, has America in knots.

  • @davenguyen1968
    @davenguyen1968 5 днів тому

    Great stories and thank you for your service, God bless the USA

  • @nobodyspecial7185
    @nobodyspecial7185 Рік тому +1

    I just realized who was the executive producer the chickenhawk himself dang

  • @alansmyth2204
    @alansmyth2204 6 років тому +1

    great stories

  • @useruser400
    @useruser400 6 місяців тому

    Serpent: Thank you for your ‘Nam chopper service that you can’t discuss, but did anyway. You are, and always will be, my biggest hero.
    If our nation REALLY knew the dedication and guts it took to do your mission, they would start passing out MOH’s to all of you.
    Thank you even more for coming home and being a brick in Savannah. (If you know, you know.)
    And most of all, thank you for being one of the finest humans I have ever met and one of my best friends.

  • @MTGallagher
    @MTGallagher Рік тому

    Thank you William Reeder.

  • @humbleone6405
    @humbleone6405 6 років тому

    Thanks

  • @jamesallen3799
    @jamesallen3799 3 роки тому +1

    That Jerry Crews is as good as they come. He is a hero in my eyes.

  • @chrismurray8601
    @chrismurray8601 Рік тому

    The best job I have ever had was being a crew chief on a CH 46 in combat.
    Our job was to support our comrades on the ground.
    Semper fi to all services

  • @PeitouBob
    @PeitouBob 7 років тому +2

    Amen.

  • @tonysigsby870
    @tonysigsby870 2 роки тому

    Who he doesn't mention at the beginning is there are two Gunners the crew chief on the left and a gunner on the right and they sit in front of a M60 machine gun and they are who protects that side of the helicopter it's it's unusual that they do not know it's not even mentioned ask the pilots

  • @somethingelse4878
    @somethingelse4878 3 роки тому

    I'd recommend the free PC tool Avidemux as if cut on a key frame it doesn't need to recode

  • @HERMACIDE77
    @HERMACIDE77 10 місяців тому

    Anybody else realize that's Harrison Ford as narrarator?

  • @indy500tabasco8
    @indy500tabasco8 Рік тому +1

    Good people😊

  • @f4tweet
    @f4tweet 3 роки тому +3

    My buddy was an Army slick pilot.
    RIP Sky Pilot.

  • @donatchinson8438
    @donatchinson8438 7 років тому +1

    God Bless you Sky Pilots.

  • @garybulwinkle82
    @garybulwinkle82 6 років тому +1

    I can barely hear the audio; literally a whisper at max volume! Increase recorded levels, please!

    • @thetreblerebel
      @thetreblerebel 4 роки тому

      It must be your setup, I'm running bluetooth headphones at 75% volume fine

  • @horsepower523
    @horsepower523 3 роки тому +2

    Despite all the dangers I think I would rather have been a helicopter pilot than a foot soldier during the Vietnam war. No matter how dangerous it was it still beats hiking through the dense snake infested jungles with 40°C heat and extreme humidity, not to mention the damn booby traps.

  • @davidfraley746
    @davidfraley746 11 місяців тому

    Lost a high school classmate who was a helicopter pilot CWO John Traver

  • @lbbradley55
    @lbbradley55 6 років тому

    If any one knew My Uncle Sgt Coley Leon Andrews Killed Second tour. 12/19/66 Crew Chief Casper Aviation Platoon 173rd ABN. Sky Soldiers. Completed first Tour. Volunteer for 2nd. I would Love to Hear From Anyone who may have known or know anything about this or this Unit or where they were Fighting. Anything.
    Larry

  • @sicknote1558
    @sicknote1558 2 роки тому

    RESPECT

  • @ComfortsSpecter
    @ComfortsSpecter Рік тому

    2:00 Just casual Harrison Ford out’ve nowhere

  • @falconmoose5435
    @falconmoose5435 2 роки тому +1

    You never burnt sewage, pilot. Not "We".

  • @kgw100
    @kgw100 3 роки тому +1

    Joined the army 40 years too late

  • @Ricky-ribs70
    @Ricky-ribs70 Рік тому +2

    Executive producer Robert Mason do your self a favour and read chicken hawk

  • @billjones253
    @billjones253 5 років тому +1

    All the respect in the world for the Pilots. Just remember other than the Cobra all other ships, Guns, Slicks and Dust off had two guys in the back, and probably 20-30 guys in maintenance that kept the helicopters flying. Also the video did not work for me.

  • @VikingTeddy
    @VikingTeddy 6 років тому +3

    Ford does not look happy to be there.

  • @ernstvonrichthofen
    @ernstvonrichthofen 6 років тому

    In with unit did you serve in Vietnam mr. ford. -

  • @luvcaty332
    @luvcaty332 5 років тому

    Begins at 0.44sec.

  • @antoniopossan7359
    @antoniopossan7359 3 роки тому +4

    Thanks for all of those who fought communism everywhere, thank all the vets and god bless america. From Brazil 🇺🇸🇧🇷

  • @paulconnors2078
    @paulconnors2078 2 роки тому

    WRONG HARRISON! The French Army and Air Force used helos in combat during the Algerian War 1954-62. Many of their tactics were adopted by the US Army in Vietnam.

  • @hamishford5486
    @hamishford5486 3 роки тому +1

    JEEZE Harrson, its turbine and not turbin

  • @davidstaudohar6733
    @davidstaudohar6733 2 роки тому

    As An Active member of Lancer tactical shotgun Pilot , I crapped my pants on every Flight OPPS ♦️♦️♦️‼️

  • @scotthamilton3314
    @scotthamilton3314 3 роки тому +1

    I'm guessing medivac pilots eventually started doing their jobs later in the war....my father said they wouldn't fly into hot lzs early in the war....that slick pilots had to do their jobs as well as their own

    • @azonicrider32
      @azonicrider32 2 роки тому +1

      It's one thing flying into a hot LZ with 2 gunners on each side and something entirely different to fly into a hot LZ with a naked chopper.

  • @ThePponu
    @ThePponu 7 років тому +6

    Watching this video makes me swell with pride to know these men, fellow Americans, are part of the reason we are still a free people. If not for them and so many others like them, America wouldnt be what it is today. And it all started with the American Revolution.
    Freedom is truly not free.
    Only shame is, this war was a run by politicians. And their hands will forever be awash with the blood of almost 60,000 young men.
    How dare the bastards get by with such criminal acts. 60,000

  • @somethingelse4878
    @somethingelse4878 3 роки тому

    2:54 then the Americans formated it and later a new operating system was installed

  • @PacoOtis
    @PacoOtis 7 років тому +10

    Uhmm? They made something quite interesting rather boring. We Americans did it again! I was a Warrant pilot via class 68-27.

    • @robertchaison4040
      @robertchaison4040 7 років тому +1

      :-) 67-501/67-21 RIP my many Classmates

    • @BlackSwan912
      @BlackSwan912 6 років тому +1

      I thought it was quite gripping. Harrison was awfully low-energy, but after his introduction, those were some seriously interesting stories.

    • @richardg1917
      @richardg1917 6 років тому

      @@robertchaison4040 it's so cool to talk with them in person, my flight instructor had been 2 tours flying a huey, he actually used popcorn popping to describe the sound being openned up on. When we flew together, i'd look over at him with his aviator glasses, it was easy to picture him in a huey. He was cool, and when in the states he ended up flying a corporate jet.

    • @peterbilt37042
      @peterbilt37042 5 років тому

      My dad graduated from class 68-25. CW2 Ron Halfhill.

  • @Nimbasa180
    @Nimbasa180 3 роки тому

    Holy shit, is that Harrison fucking ford? Why tf haven't I seen this before? I'll I do is watch Vietnam documentaries lol

  • @tonysigsby870
    @tonysigsby870 2 роки тому

    Yeah I was 19 r-warren sworn officers were 1920

  • @DJSbros
    @DJSbros 6 років тому +1

    Holy fuck i didn't expect Indiana Jones narrated this shit XD I died.

  • @lilianstacey2966
    @lilianstacey2966 3 роки тому

    ”this is the thing u need.”
    " *womo.life/2387-guide#219*
    ”Am I right?”
    *"**3:47**"*
    垃圾。
    -Lord

  • @DJSbros
    @DJSbros 6 років тому +2

    Helicopters werent used in WW2...

    • @dukecraig2402
      @dukecraig2402 6 років тому +2

      @Sir Wojak IV
      The US Army first used helicopters in the South Pacific towards the end of WW2 including mounting the first helicopter combat rescue operation in history during April of 1944 when a US Army R-4 helicoptor pilot rescued an Army pilot and 3 British soldiers that were on his plane after they had been shot down in Burma.

    • @johnedwards5516
      @johnedwards5516 4 роки тому

      DJSbros exactly, they used them in WWI but some jackass forgot to order them in time for WWII, so signed an addendum in the Geneva convention whereby everyone agreed not to use Helicopters in WWII, so they saved them for Vietnam

    • @jimcaufman2328
      @jimcaufman2328 Рік тому

      I am a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and we have two honorary members. The Army pilot who made the first medevac during WW-2 in Burma and a Soviet helicopter pilot who Flew missions dropping lead on the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor as it was melting down to try to prevent an explosion knowing full well he would die from radiation poisoning.

  • @billshannon6899
    @billshannon6899 3 роки тому

    Anybody know batman fixit

  • @ericgibson2079
    @ericgibson2079 2 роки тому

    If people came to our country, and were all amognst us comparatively, how horrible would it be, having to mash a crazy medium ground area between cities and country, probably have the same problems right here real quick in all there ways over there, then have to do more in that they would mix it up with us our way's in our homeland over here. I mean, Jesus it could be such a zoo. We have to be able to isolate like these fires, and disasters. As soon as they infiltrate were going to be hurting units again. Marshal law must work from the front line back and the back line, homes, line front. I could see the whole disorganization of getting our civilian forces (police, etc) all mixed up in crossfires. Get us inoperable, or where its all of those lame idoms--- we were taken by idoms, not idealisms. To much to soon, to much to late, better late than never, told you so, I knew it, so what, what problems, not me, us you him, her, etc. Its not our problems, wishing, taking forever, took so long, whats the problem, when, hurry, all the sayings and things just grind us to pieces you know, just sold with the beef market- Our enemies devour us here. Then we get these attacks that are to small and not powerful enough, we just get countered to hell. Always not enough you know, where were effective its just like football, and this big Hell No (2), thing, a bunch of everything we got thrown at the enemies forces, garbage trucks, carbombs, everything you could think of for a bunch of our ho-ya guys, Crazy, somehow it looks like its going to be more of a nuclear, type problem if so right, Bio, or something, Our Oceans fail us in keeping the enemy forces away... Our boarders cannot be secured, that would suck huh? Im probably wrong though so whatever.

  • @somethingelse4878
    @somethingelse4878 3 роки тому +1

    I'm reading the book chicken hawk and my god those Sargent's were bastards and the civilian flight instructors were not much better
    Being made a leader of a small group men and taking them to the mess seems easy right, wrong, not when you have NCOs blocking the route while shouting at you.
    This video seems to be taken word for word from that book
    The things I love from the US...
    M1 garand, the jeep, p51 and the Huey

    • @nickmiller9450
      @nickmiller9450 2 роки тому

      Actually our civilian primary and military advanced flight training instructors were the best. In fact my civilian flight instructor saved my life not only when learning to hover but by teaching high speed low level quick stops which served me well when as a new solo student pilot I was faced with a fast moving thunderstorm and elected to land off field rather than get lost somewhere over Texas. In the landing toward the storm cell, suddenly of course the wind reversed into a tail wind and I was suddenly eye level with a fence with the skids in the tall grass doing about 50 knots. I did a quick stop over the fence, landed on the other side, shut down and tied the blades and immediately got drenched. He’d saved my life and their training many times after that. The instructors were the best!

  • @renatogasperin9285
    @renatogasperin9285 Рік тому

    Ustica

  • @baco4848
    @baco4848 6 років тому +1

    narated by han solo :D

    • @BlackStar-oh9lp
      @BlackStar-oh9lp 5 років тому +1

      I was wondering if that was him lol nice, he's admired by many for being one of the best pilots. No lie; not anything to do with Han Solo, he is a great pilot.

  • @teresajd0608
    @teresajd0608 5 років тому

    Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppppp

  • @markharrison2544
    @markharrison2544 6 років тому

    I'm so glad Harrison Ford refused to serve in Vietnam.

  • @williammccoullum496
    @williammccoullum496 2 роки тому

    Thanks